High school soccer: Americas shuts out Sam Houston

MIDLAND -- With a 20-mile-per-hour wind howling at their backs in the first half, the Americas boys soccer team needed a quick start in its third-round state Class 5A high school playoff game against Arlington Sam Houston.

And yet, the Trailblazers still managed to catch the Texans by surprise.

Americas jumped on the Texans for two goals in the first 11 minutes, the first coming on a stunning Alexi Mendoza free kick from 35 yards out, staking it to a lead it held throughout in a 2-0 victory that launched the Trailblazers into the regional quarterfinals next week.

"With the wind, that's what we needed," Americas coach Victor Ruiz said of the early 2-0 lead. "We were able to control the tempo. We had a good start, we played our game. Even against the wind we controlled the tempo."

Americas controlled the run of play early, but still managed to catch Sam Houston napping just three minutes in when Mendoza bounced a free kick past Sam Houston keeper Homero Alvarez for a tone-setting goal. The Texans were more concerned with the Americas players massing around their wall and didn't account for Mendoza's shot.

"I think it surprised them," Mendoza said. "That's what we do, we score early, get them off their game."

"I don't think they were looking for a shot," Ruiz said.

Eight minutes later, the Trailblazers turned extended possession in the attacking third into a second goal when Fernando Gomez took a pass from Misael Villareal in traffic in the middle of the penalty area and slotted it home.

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The second half was more competitive as Sam Houston took the big wind, but Americas still had the better scoring chances, particularly in the final 20 minutes.

"It was a good win," Ruiz said. "We were able to do what we set out to do."

Bret Bloomquist may be reached at bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com; 546-6359. Follow him on Twitter @bretbloomquist

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